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Objective. Activin receptor-like kinase 7 (ALK7) is a member of the ALK family that has a key role in diabetes. However, the role of ALK7 in diabetic nephropathy (DN) remains unclear. Methods. Herein, we evaluated the effects of ALK7 on mesangial cells (MCs). MCs were transfected with si-ALK7 or pcDNA3.0-ALK7, and then stimulated with 40 mM glucose for 24 h. Cell proliferation was detected by MTT assay. Relative ROS level was detected using DCFH-DA staining. The contents of inflammatory cytokines were determined by ELISA. Western blot analysis was used to determine the expression levels of FN, Col IV, Nrf2, and HO-1 in MCs. Results. Our results showed that ALK7 expression was induced by HG in MCs. Knockdown of ALK7 inhibited HG-induced cell proliferation. The HG-induced ROS was mitigated by si-ALK7 with decreased ROS level and NOX activity. In addition, ALK7 knockdown exhibited anti-inflammatory activity in HG-stimulated MCs. Moreover, ALK7 knockdown attenuated fibronectin (FN) and collagen IV (Col IV) expression in MCs. Knockdown of ALK7 enhanced Nrf2/HO-1 pathway in MCs. Inhibition of Nrf2 reversed the protective effects of ALK7 knockdown on HG-stimulated MCs. Conclusion. ALK7 knockdown exerted protective effects on HG-stimulated MCs through activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. Thus, targeting ALK7 might be a therapeutic approach for the treatment of DN.

Acetamiprid is a kind of broad-spectrum pesticides that has been largely applied in agriculture and household pest control. In this paper, a simple, novel and highly sensitive electrochemiluminescence aptamer sensor (ECL aptasensor) based on Ag3PO4-NH2-SnO2 was proposed. The ECL signal was greatly amplified with the synergistic effect of Ag3PO4 and NH2-SnO2 (Ag3PO4-NH2-SnO2) which was dropped on a glass carbon electrode (GCE) and used as working electrode. We designed an “on–off” ECL sensing strategy for the sensitive and specific detection of acetamiprid. Under the optimal conditions, the linear range of the sensor for acetamiprid detection was 1.0 × 10− 11 ~ 1.0 × 10− 5 M, with a detection limit of 2.5 × 10− 12 M (S/N = 3). The method showed simple and fast operation, high sensitivity and selectivity, strong anti-interference ability and good stability. More importantly, the developed aptasensor exhibited excellent recognition ability towards residual acetamiprid in actual water samples, which might open promising avenues to develop new ECL systems for biological analysis and environmental water monitoring.

In this work, a novel electrochemiluminescence (ECL) aptasensor based on the resonance energy transfer (RET) effect between Ag3PO4-Cu-MOF (ii) and silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) is proposed. The ECL emission spectra of Ag3PO4-Cu-MOF and the ultraviolet absorption spectra of Ag NPs showed a good spectral overlap. Based on this, we designed an "on-off-on" ECL sensing strategy for the sensitive and specific detection of diethylstilbestrol (DES). Under the optimal conditions, the linear range of the sensor for DES detection was 1.0 × 10-12-1.0 × 10-4 M, with a detection limit of 7.2 × 10-13 M (S/N = 3). The method showed simple and fast operation, high sensitivity and selectivity, a strong anti-interference ability and good stability. More importantly, the developed aptasensor exhibited excellent recognition towards residual DES in actual water samples. The sensor has superior measurement capability and potential application value in the field of environment water quality monitoring.

Oxidative stress plays an important role in diabetic nephropathy (DN), which is a diabetic complication. Ampelopsin (AMP) is a natural flavonoid that has been found to possess antidiabetic and antioxidative activities. However, the effect of AMP on DN remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the protective effect of AMP on glomerular mesangial cells (MCs) exposed to high glucose (HG). We found that AMP improved HG-caused cell viability reduction in MCs. AMP significantly suppressed the intracellular ROS production and expression levels of ROS producing enzymes NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2) and NOX4. Increased of NOX activity in HG-stimulated MCs was suppressed by AMP. Pretreatment with AMP inhibited extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation in HG-stimulated MCs with decreased expression levels of fibronectin (FN) and collagen type IV (Col IV). Furthermore, AMP elevated the expression levels of nuclear Nrf2 and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), as well as increased the mRNA levels of Nrf2-driven genes NAD(P)H dehydrogenase quinone-1 (NQO-1) and HO-1 in HG-treated MCs. Knockdown of Nrf2 reversed the protective effects of AMP against HG-induced oxidative stress and EMC accumulation in MCs. In conclusion, these findings indicated that AMP protected MCs from HG-induced oxidative damage and ECM accumulation, which might be mediated by Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.

An efficient synthesis of a variety of 1,2-disubstituted-5,6-dihydropyrrolo[2,1-α]isoquinoline derivatives via an acid-promoted cyclization reaction between 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (THIQ) and substituted α,β-unsaturated aldehyde derivatives is reported. This cycloaddition allows access to structurally diverse multisubstituted dihydropyrrolo[2,1-α]isoquinolines in moderate to good yields, which was the core scaffold of marine natural alkaloid lamellarins.

In this work, a novel electrochemiluminescence (ECL) aptasensor based on the resonance energy transfer (RET) effect between Ag3PO4-Cu-MOF (ii) and silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) is proposed. The ECL emission spectra of Ag3PO4-Cu-MOF and the ultraviolet absorption spectra of Ag NPs showed a good spectral overlap. Based on this, we designed an "on-off-on" ECL sensing strategy for the sensitive and specific detection of diethylstilbestrol (DES). Under the optimal conditions, the linear range of the sensor for DES detection was 1.0 × 10-12-1.0 × 10-4 M, with a detection limit of 7.2 × 10-13 M (S/N = 3). The method showed simple and fast operation, high sensitivity and selectivity, a strong anti-interference ability and good stability. More importantly, the developed aptasensor exhibited excellent recognition towards residual DES in actual water samples. The sensor has superior measurement capability and potential application value in the field of environment water quality monitoring.

Objective: Investigating potential predictors of aortic dissection development in high-risk hypertensive patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Methods: Hypertensive patients with aortic dissection, admitted to hospital between January 2010 and July 2020, was diagnosed with OSAS by overnight sleep study with polysomnography (PSG). Results: Male was liable to aortic dissection compared to female in both groups（84.7% and 86% respectively）.There were actually significant differences with regard to neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR), mean platelet volume (MPV) / platelet count (PLT) ratio and D-dimer that we concerned about and were of great value in aortic dissection as previously reported. As multivariable regression analysis revealed, NLR (odds rate [OR], 2.258, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.464-3.482, P

Background: The study aimed to uncover the regulation mechanisms of diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) and provide novel prognostic biomarkers. Methods: The dataset GSE62203 downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database was utilized in the present study. After pretreatment using the Affy package, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified by the limma package, followed by functional enrichment analysis and protein– protein interaction (PPI) network analysis. Furthermore, module analysis was conducted using MCODE plug-in of Cytoscape, and functional enrichment analysis was also performed for genes in the modules. Results: A set of 560 DEGs were screened, mainly enriched in the metabolic process and cell cycle related process. Hub nodes in the PPI network were LDHA (lactate dehydrogenase A), ALDOC (aldolase C, fructose-bisphosphate) and ABCE1 (ATP Binding Cassette Subfamily E Member 1), which were also highlighted in Module 1 or Module 2 and predominantly enriched in the processes of glycolysis and ribosome biogenesis. Additionally, LDHA were linked with ALDOC in the PPI network. Besides, activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) was prominent in Module 3; while myosin heavy chain 6 (MYH6) was highlighted in Module 4 and was mainly involved in muscle cells related biological processes. Conclusions: Five potential biomarkers including LDHA, ALDOC, ABCE1, ATF4 and MYH6 were identified for DCM prognosis.

Normally, analytical applications of metal oxide semiconductors (MOS) in electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sensors need to be coupled with electrochemical catalysts, some special coreactants or resonance energy transfer method, since MOS exhibited relatively low ECL intensity. In this research, we developed a simple ECL intensity enhancement method for MOS by covering a nanogold-film (NAuF) on the surface of fluorine-doped tin oxide-coated (FTO) conductive glass electrode. Aminated MnO2 nanoparticles (NH-MnO2) was chosen as exemplary MOS emitter to discuss the role of NAuF in ECL system. The results indicated that the NAuF bridged ECL sensor using NH-MnO2 as emitter (NH-MnO2-NAuF/FTO) exhibited a stronger ECL intensity and extremely better stability. In furazolidone (FZD) determination test, the quenched ECL intensity showed a good linear relationship to FZD concentrations in the range 1.0 × 10−8 M ∼ 1.0 × 10−5 M, with a detection limit of 6.6 × 10−9 M, in optimized conditions. Given these attributes, we developed a novel platform for ECL system that could simply enhance the intensity and stability. This work also efficiently offered insights into application potential of ECL analysis.

Methotrexate (MTX; an anti-folate) and etanercept (ET; a TNF-α inhibitor) are used against arthritis; however, limitations like short biological half-life, low cutaneous absorption, and acidic instability limit their clinical relevance. Therefore, the aim of the investigation was to develop albumin coupled lipid nanoemulsion of MTX and ET for improved efficacy by virtue of their controlled release and specificity at the arthritic site. This emulsion was prepared by high-speed homogenization and stabilized using cholesterol. Lipid nanoemulsion of MTX and ET (MTX+ET-LNE) was coupled with albumin (MTX+ET-ALNE). MTX+ET-ALNE was characterized on the basis of particle size (410 ± 25.4 nm), PDI (0.160), and zeta potential (+38.6 ± 5.6 mV) and evaluated for pH (6.15), drug content (97.7 ± 2.17%), entrapment efficiency (76 ± 4.6%), in vitro release, and in vitro cytotoxicity. About 82.6 ± 9.60% release of MTX+ET was observed in 24 h from the developed MTX+ET-ALNE which may help maintain therapeutic level of drugs in blood at least for one day. No toxicity was observed when Raw 264.7 cells were treated with MTX+ET-ALNE, and no causalities of mice were observed at experimental in vivo dose (10 mg/kg BW) of MTX+ET in MTX+ET-ALNE-treated group. MTX+ET-ALNE treatment has alleviated arthritic scores and inflammatory cytokines level in a very significant manner when compared with MTX+ET-LNE and MTX+ET solutions. MTX+ET-ALNE-treated group restored histological alterations (cartilage/bone erosion, inflammatory cell infiltration, synovial hyperplasia, and narrower joint space) as observed in diseased treated groups. In conclusion, MTX+ET-ALNE can be opted as efficacious and clinically pertinent option to the current medication systems of arthritis.

Background Generation of extended- spectrum β- lactamases is one of the major mechanisms by which clinical Klebsiella pneumoniae develop resistance to antibiotics. Combined antibiotics prove to be a relatively effective method of controlling such resistant strains. Some of Chinese herbal active ingredients are known to have synergistic antibacterial effects. This study is aimed to investigate synergistic effects of Chinese herbal active ingredients with cefotaxime on the extended- spectrum β- lactamase positive strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae, and to analyze mechanism of synergistic action, providing experimental evidence for clinical application of antimicrobial drugs. Results For total sixteen strains including fifteen strains of cefotaxime resistant K. pneumoniae and one extended- spectrum β- lactamase positive standard strain, the synergy rates of cefotaxime with baicalein, matrine, and clavulanic acid were 56.3 %, 0 %, and 100 %, respectively. The fractional inhibitory concentration index of combined baicalein and cefotaxime was correlated with the percentage decrease of cefotaxime MIC of all the strains (r = −0.78, p

Out of 851 soybean accessions from Vietnam, China and Japan analyzed for 7S β-subunit variants, a new β-reduced subunit line with normal growth was collected from the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Protein of the `β-reduced' line is composed of β-reduced and extremely low-β types. (α-null + β-reduced) type and β-null (or extremely low-β) type were screened in the progeny seeds of the Japanese mutant `(α + β) null' line. Therefore, recombination between α- and β-subunits was identified. By comparing the nucleotide sequence of the partial β-subunit gene of Enrei (standard), Mo-shi-dou Gong 503 (α + β low), β-533 seed (β-reduced), β-57 seed (extremely low-β), and (α + β)-null16((α + β) null) seed, we found that the base `T' at 166 bp, in Enrei changed to `G' in Mo-shi-dou Gong 503, β-533 and β-57. Using the (α + β)-null16 individual as template, a distinct 305 bp β-subunit gene fragment was identified, instead of a 285 bp fragment.